Electrical heating apparatus.



H. M. WIGKER.

ELECTRICAL HEATING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED MAY 2''], 190a. RENEWED DEG. 24, 1012.

1,061,433. Patented May13,1-9i 3.

. 2 SHEETS-BRIGHT- 1.

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H. WIGKER. ELECTRICAL HEATING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED MAY 27, 1908. RENEWED DEC. 24, 1912. 1,061,433, Patented May 13, 1913v 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

v t" g/4 M. w/c/rER 3?? WAWW UNITED STATES PATENT oFiuoE. f j.

H UGH M. WICKERQOF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ELEoTRrcAL HEATING APPARATUS. v i I Application filed May 27, "1908,Seria1 No. 435,276.

To all whomit mag concern:

Be it known that L'Hu'ol-r M. WIGKER, a citizen of the United States, residing at the borough of Brooklyn, city of New York, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements'in Electrical Heating Apparatus, of which the following is a speification, reference being ha d therein to the accompanyingdrawingg My invention relates'to electric heating apparatus, and more particularly to that class thereof provided with thermostatic or equivalent automatic controlling wherebythe heat is varied'to suit the condi tions.

The apparatus consists of a pluralityof individualheating groups, which groups are suitably connected, and are also provided with devices whereby the heating effect-of the several groups may be varied relatively to each other. Y p

In my preferred'embodinient the automatic control is secured by altering the connections of the several groups from parallel to series,

or vice versa, to produce the desired effect. As before stated, I- also pro-v1de means wherebythe individual capacity and extent of the several groups may be relatively altered and adjusted at will,'this latter adjustment,however,being independent of the automatic control previously referred to.

. It is obvious that my invention may be appliedin various forms and for many different purposes, and I have selected, by way of example'and as a 'means of illustrating it,

its application to the melting pot of a linotype machine. I Referrmg to the drawmgs: F gure 1 1s a diagrammatic view of the electrical apparatus and circuits of the controlling mechanism; Fig. 2 is a vertical-sectionalview of a 'linotype melting pot with my "invention applied thereto; and Fig, 3 is a horizontal sectional viewthereof onthe line 33 in Fig. 2.

The melting cover 2 and a spout 3,.and surrounded by a jacket 4, which is preferably of cast-iron "lined with asbestos, or other heat resis ing material, as indicated by the'dotted ,line 4 (see Fig. 3);. "The centrally arranged plunger 6 serves to forceth'e molten metalout from the spout 3 in the customary and-well- Specification of Letters Patent.

II] GZLIIS pot-1 is provided with- Renewed December24y19 12a Serial No. 738,477.

known manner. The several parts described are mounted upon a portion of the frame 5 of the linotype machine. These various features form 110 part of my invention and may be of any desired or approved construction.

Within the air-tight space between'the melting pot l and the jacket 4, I place a grouping, and so arranged that they are supported upon insulators out ofmcontact with the casing. Attached to the bottom of the 'pot'l are binding posts 9 through which the current is led to the heating coils. The heating elements may also beof any de sired or approved character, and as shown comprise curved iron .or steel rods, which provided with two nuts, one on each side of a steel supporting'rib 8, through which the tion. Outside of and around the insulating l sleeves are mounted spiral heating coils of high resistance,'which are located insuch a way as'to be out of contact with the pot which they surround. When the current is metal therein contained. I p

The heating coils 7 are divided into' two group 51 being applied tothe main portion of the pot 1, and the group v52 being located heating capacityQof the group 51 to such an extent that only enough heat is impartedto the pot to preserve the metal in molten condition. Due, however, to the fact that the spout or nozzle 3 is not protected from the is a further tendency to reduce its temperature becauseof its periodicalcontactwith the colder metal parts of the mold, and because the metal that passes theret-hroughis thus apt to become chilled and therefore to are insulated by asbestos sleeves. 'The serods are threaded at their ends,.'where they. are

ends of the rods are passed and to which they are thus rigidly held in the proper ptsisupplied the heat produced in these coils is. transmitted to the pot .1 and .to the type general sections or groups-51 and 52, the

in proximity to the spout or discharging nozzle" 3. The reason. for this division of metal, and then subsequently reduce the surrounding air, and to the fact that there.

Patented May 13,1913.

number of heating coils 7 in any desired correct condition and at the proper tempera-,

' 7 producef imperfect castings it is essential to maintain the heat of the spout or nozzle even after the heat of. the coils of group 51 is reduced I have therefore provided a control whereby this result will be. secured with the least expenditure of electric energy, and for this purpose I employ an automatic means, preferably a thermostat,

which acts not only to produce theresult mentioned, but also to preserve the metal in turea I I The particular form-of thermostatto be employed constitutes no part of my invention. I have preferably located it in imme-' diate proximity to the spout or nozzle 3, where it will be most susceptible to changes vinthe temperature, and, as illustrated inthe drawings, it consists of an aluminum or other metal rod 12, secured in an iron tube 11. One-end of the rod 12 rests upon the shorter end of a lever 13, fulcrumed at 14 to the frame of the machine. A spring 29 connected to the longer end of the levernorf mally holds it in its retracted position and against the end ofv the rod 12. In proximity to .the, long endof the lever 13 is ar ranged: an electro-magnet 25, provided with an armature 23, which is supported by, but insulated from, a brass plunger 22, which projects into the path of the long arm of the lever 13. The armature 23 and'plu'nger 22 are normally held in their retracted po- 4 I sitions the spring24Q The plunger 22 carries at its opposite end a block of insulating material 21, on which is fastened a.

, contact piece 19. This piece 19 is normally grounded, as at 20, preferably throughthe:

- frame 17' of the machine. 40

The frame 17 is provided with an' insulated contact plece 18, which is located inpositi on to contact with thepiece 19 when the parts are in their normal positions.

The main circuit controlling device comprises a base '58 on which are mounted a pair of opposed solenoids 33 and 34, provided with a common plunger 54, which is adapted to be moved by either solenoid. On this plunger 54-are mounted three metallic disks or conductors 55, 56 and 57, insulated from the plunger andspaced equally thereon, as shown in Fig. 1. Also mountedon the base- 58 and projecting upwardly therefrom on opposite sides of the plunger 54and disposed inthe paths of the disks or conductors 55, 56 and 57 are four pairs of studs, 41 and 45, 42 and 46, 43 and out of circuit, and the solenoid isin cir cuit, the plunger 54 is moved in the opposite direction, and at this time the pairs of studs,

41 and 45, and 42 and 46, are then connected respectively by the disks 55 and 56.

As previously described, the heating coils 7 are connected together in two groups, 51 and 52. The group 51 isconnected at one end to the contact piece 75, to which is also connected the group. 52,'and which thus serves as a connection therebetween when the two groups are employed in series. The groups 51. and 52 are also provided with a seriesof internal contact pieces, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc, whereby a greater or fewer number of the coils 7 may be cut into or out of operation in the manner subsequently to be described. A switch iece S is arranged. to contact with any one of the interior contact pieces of-the group 51, and normally rests upon the extreme contact piece 6 thereof, as shown in the drawing. A switch S is also provided, which is arranged to contact with the piece 75, or with any one of the'interior contact pieces of group 52 (see also Fig. 2). The various circuit connections will befbest understood from thedcscription of the operation of the apparatus which now follows: The current enters the apparatus at the point 30 and leaves it at the point 31, where it is preferably ground ed, 111 the position shown in Fig. 1, the

current .enters at 30 and passes -;thencethrough wire 36, .stud 43, disk 56, to stud 47, through wire 40, to switch S and contact piece 75, where it divides, part passing through the group 51, switch S wire 39, ,l. w re '49, stud 48, disk 57, stud 44, and wire 37,?"t0 ground at 31,and the other part passing from plece 75, through group 52, wire 38, wire 37, to ground at 3411 If the switch S is turned so as to bring i't in con-' tact with stud 6, the two groups of heating coils 51 and 52 are connected in .parallel, and their. heating eflect is therefore at the maximum. This is the condition which is desired for the purpose of melting the metal in the pot. It is to be here noted that there is a further connection from the wire 30 through wire 32, magnet 33, wire 26,-magnet 25, and wire 27, to plunger 22, but as this stud is insulated in the normal position of the parts, the circuit is open.

The metalhaving been raised to the de sired temperature, and it being simply necessary to keep it'in its proper condition and at the same time to preserve the high temperature of the spout or nozzle 3, an automatic regulation is effected by the action of the thermostat previously described. At.

noon r33 then attracts its armature 23 (the elasticity. of the lever 13 allowing it to bend sufli. ,ciently to permit'the slight movement re-' quired), and thereby separates the contact pieces 18 and 19,-comprising a part of the circuit now to be traced. These pieces l8 and 19 when in contact form the ground magnet 34 becomes j deenergized, and the mouth of the pot, which is the critical pointconnection for a circuit as follows,-'from wire 30, through wire 36, Wire'35, magnet 34, wire 28,=contact pieces 18 and 19, to ground at 20. Y'Vhen the last mentioned parts are in circuit the magnet 34 is energized and the plunger'54, occupies the position shown in Fig, 1. But when this circuit-is broken by the separation of the con tact pieces 18 and 19, as above described, the

magnet 33 is energized, thus drawing the plunger '54 over intol its reverse position. In this reverse position, ,as previouslydescribed, the pairs of studs 41and 45, and

42 and'46, are respectively connected by the disks and 56, and the connection previously existing between the pairs of studs 43 and 47, and 44 and 48, is broken. The heating circuit may now be traced as follows,

from wire 30, stud '41, disk 55, stud 45, wire 39, switch S group '51, contact piece 75, group 52, wire 38, and wire 37, to ground at 31. In this position of the parts It will be seen that the two, groups of heating coils 51 and 52 are in series, and that the change from the parallel to the series connection thereby largely reduces their combined heating capacity, This reduced "amount of heat, however, is nevertheless-sufficient for the purpose of maintaining the metal inits moltencondition. If at any time th'teniperature drops below this point, theflthen mostat acts to restore the paralleliarrangement of the groups 51 and 52, thus increas- 3 ing the heat to the desired extent, and, gen

erally speaking, the thermostat acts as an automatic controller to preserve the metal in its proper, condition, and, as before pointed out, it is preferably located at the from which the general temperaitureshould be regulated. r

As previously described, the switch S is '7 thereof, by bringing the switch S into contact with one of the interior contact pieces 1, 2, 3, 4, etc., insteadof leaving it r in connection with the last contact piece of the series, which is its normal position. In

this manner the extentof the group 51 is diminished, and the heating capacity of the remainder increased, and by a proper selection of the contact points, the heat of the pot toward the mouth piece may be varied, while in the series position. Another resultthatiarises from this manipulation of p the switch- S is the relative alteration in the heating'efl-ect of the respective groups 51 and 52, For instance, if the switch be brought into-contact with the interior point 3 of group 51, three sets of elements are cut out and three remain, and the extent of the group; is diminished to one-half, decreasing its resistance and increasing the heat of the remainder. As the group 52 is in series" with group-51 at this time, it follows that the heating effect of group 52, will be correspondingly increased, and that the proportions may be thus varied-at will. I alsoprovide a switch 60 adapted to be operated to contact with a connection 53 to one or other of the interior contact pieces 1', 2, 3, 4, etc., of the group 52,+the contact piece 3 being the one selected by way of example forillustration in the drawings. By closin this switch 60, I am enabled to cut out al of the higher numbered interior contact pieces, 'as the switch 60 through wire 61', stud'46, disk 56, and stud 42, passes to ground at 31; I

' he provision of the switch 60 is rendered desirable by the fact that the group 52, when in series as previously described, normally grounds through the extreme contact'point thereofi wire 38 and wire 37, at 31, and the provision of the switch. 60 permits the grounding ofgroup 52 at an interior. point, thus shortening the group with the general results and advantages therein involved and asfp'reviously described in connection with :switch S 1 also provide switchesto conltrol the extent and point of application of vthe severa'lflgrou'ps when connected in parfalleh Thus, theswitch S maybe brought ,into'connection with any of the interior 0011- tactlpoints 1', 2, 3, 4, etc., of the group '52, and the connection of the switch S in this manner has the e'flect of shiftingthe connection of the wire 40 to various positions within the group 52, thereby shortening or lengthening the group 52with results somewhat similar to those already described. I alsoprovide a switch S which contacts with the remoter contact-points 4, 5, 6, etc., of group 51, or with similar contact points connected thereto, as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1. The nearer contact points -1, 2, and 3 are omittedin thisarrangement to prevent unduly short circuits. This switch S is employed also in the parallel arrangement, and is connected by the wire to ground at 31. By the use of the switch.

S I am therefore enabled vto ground the group 51 from the selected interior contact .pointsthereofwhen in parallel, thus shortening the group and correspondingly increasing the heating capacity of the remainder, as well as shiftingthe heating effect to the desired point.

The apparatus described not only aflords me full and complete manual control .over

the extent and capacity of the several heat ing groups, but also enables me to locate their application at the desired points andin the most .advantageouspositions, and it will be-noted thatthismanual control is entirely independent from the general thermostatic regulation previously described.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patconnecting an element of one group in series with; the elements of the othergroup while preserving the parallel connection of the cut of the United States isas follows:

1. In an electricheating apparatus, the

combination of a plurality of heating groups comprising each a plurality of connected heating coils or elements, means for connecting sald groups in parallel, and means for groups.

' 2. In an electric heating apparatus, the

' combination of a plurality of heating groups comprising each a plurality of connected heating COllS or elements, meansfor connectmg .said groups m parallel, and means for connecting an elementof either group in series with the elements of the other group while preserving the parallel connection of the groups. u

3. In an electric heating apparatus, the combination with a plurality of heating groups of automatic controlling means whereby the heating efiect of the several groups is varied-by shifting their connection from parallel 'to series or vice versa.

4..In an electric. heating apparatus, the combination with a' plurality of heating groups of thermostatic controlling means whereby the heating effect of the several groups is varied by shifting their connection from parallel to series or vice versa.

5. In an electric heatingapparatus, the 7 combination with a plurality of heating groups of automatic controlling means I whereby the heating effect of the several groups is varied by shifting their connection from parallel to series or vice versa, to-' gether with further means whereby the heating effect of the several groups may be varied relatively toe'ach other. i

6. In an electric heating apparatus, the combination with a plurality of heating groups of automatic controlling means whereby the heating, eflect of the several groups is varied'by-shifting their connection fromparallel to 'seriesor vice versa, to-

gether with further means whereby the points of application of the several groups may be varied relatively to each other.

7. The combination of'an electric heating apparatus comprising a plurality of heating groups, a linotype pot, and thermostatic controlling means whereby the heating cffeet of the several groups is varied by shift ing their connection from parallel to series or vice versa, the said thermostatic means being mounted in nozzle of the pot.

8. An automatic controlling device, comprising a pair of electro-magnets,- the first of which is normally in circuit and energized, a member adapted to be actuated by either of the said magnets, and a third mag- I v v HUGH M. WICKE R-i Witnesses: I

.K. L. RAUTIER, GEORGE L. Moore.

7 5 proximity to the spout or i 

